The role of markets in the Circular Economy: guidelines and best practices in the new Clust-ER Report
How can markets become laboratories of circular economy and engines of social, economic and environmental sustainability?
This is the central question explored in the new research report “The Public Market System and the Circular Economy”, promoted by Clust-ER Economia Urbana as part of the preparatory work for the “Neighbourhood Markets” working group.
The document investigates the role of public markets as strategic spaces for spreading a culture of sustainability, material recovery, waste reduction, and the promotion of responsible and local consumption models.
Markets and Cities: A Circular Connection
The report analyses how markets can actively contribute to circular economy goals through:
- sustainable waste management and the promotion of recycling;
- repair and reuse initiatives for goods and products;
- educational and awareness-raising projects for citizens, students and operators;
- the adoption of technological solutions to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact.
Experiences and Best Practices Across Europe
The study highlights a selection of successful practices from Italian and European contexts, including:
- Ecomercato Prato, a project that improved waste sorting in city markets;
- Sentinelle dei rifiuti at Porta Palazzo Market (Turin), focused on recovering and redistributing food surpluses;
- “Mercati 2030”, an initiative of the Diputació de Barcelona integrating digitalisation, sustainability and innovation;
- Refashion Académie in France, promoting a culture of textile repair and reuse.
These examples show how markets can evolve into true urban proximity hubs, capable of generating positive impacts on communities and the environment.
Towards a Regional Model
The report also outlines operational guidelines for local administrations, illustrating how to integrate circular economy principles into local policies and within the future urban and neighbourhood hubs envisaged by Regional Law No. 12/202.